Book Reviews: Looking for Charley by Randal Shirley

Randal Shirley

about this book: I'm a Londoner who lived and worked in casinos in Beirut through the civil war, up until the Israeli invasion in 1982 - the only man in a group of six attractive female English croupiers. It was a dangerous place to be but the money was good and the adrenalin ran high.

One of the girls stayed behind with her Palestinian boyfriend. I went back to find her when she disappeared after the Israeli invasion. I found her in Africa.

It was a scary, dangerous time and I started off with the intention of writing a true account of what actually happened ... but some of those things looked unbelievable in print.

The more I wrote about true events the less believable they sounded. So I wrote it again as a novel - that took me nearly twenty years.

Many of the events in the book actually happened. Some could have happened. Some should never have happened - but did. Only I know which are which.

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• "Great stuff! Still not sure if it's true story - If not it's great yarn." — Dave Pitts

• "R. Shirley tells a great story. I missed my stop and was late for work. Can I sue?" — Alan Green

• "It's rare my wife and and I enjoy the same book. We both loved this one." — Leon Merville

Other book by Randal Shirley

So exciting

I really got off on this book. Just so good. I was there in Beirut and Africa with Charley. Russ is just such a typical bloke, but we need blokes don't we girls? Russ can round to my place any time. More please!

What a great thriller

I totally enjoyed this thriller, it had me hooked from start to finish. It is an easy read, well balanced with action and background. I just couldn't stop reading it, great. I will look out for more stories by this author. [by David Worthington]

Looking for Charley by Randal Shirley

An unusual thriller set in the Lebanon during the troubles and in South Africa and Tasmania, Looking for Charley is a good read both as an historic document of a turbulent time in the Levant as well as a gripping story. I was completely engrossed. [by Karen Bailey]

Definitely a thriller with a twist

I very much like the way the author has written a thriller that seamlessly travels the globe. It's well researched which makes it credible, with enough twists and turns in the plot to keep a reader turning the pages. Love the surprise ending. Look forward to reading the next book.

A refreshing new approach

I loved the pace and unexpected twists. I could taste and smell the places the book took me to. None of the usual formulated writing that leaves me cold. I enjoyed it so much I was really disappointed to reach the end.